The latest article from the German Culture site is about a little known area:

THE DUTCH QUARTER IN POTSDAM

It has been there since the 18th Century, and on the eastern side of Germany far away from the Netherlands-German border, and is a little piece of Holland, 'The Dutch Quarter'.

Frederick the Great and his father were behind the plan to build the 134 Dutch styled homes for artisans from Holland, and it remains amongst the palaces and parks of Potsdam, Germany's largest UNESCO World Heritage Site.

'Das Hollaendische Viertel' was neglected during the times of communist East Germany, and often close to being demolished, but it has been restored, with financial help from the Netherlands Royal Family, and is back to its former glory.


http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art175356.asp


And this weeks word: DINGSBUMS

One of my favorite words when I was beginning to learn German, because it describes something when all inspiration fails, and is the go-to word when you just don't know what to say.

Almost like 'thingamajig', Dingsbums could be anything and is a word well worth knowing!



germanculture.bellaonline.com has more German Culture content, and a forum:

http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=247

If you have any comments or questions do let me know, either in the forum or via email.


Francine McKenna,
German Culture Editor

http://germanculture.bellaonline.com